Linotype-matrix.



.. ...Patanted May :3; I902.

LINOTYPE MATRIX.

(Application filed Mar. 7, 1902.)

(No Model.)

I I mm awuem roz UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

PHILIP T. DODGE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LlNOTYPE-MATRIX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 700,022, dated May 13, 1902.

Application filed March 7,1902. Serial No. 97,109- (No modeld T0 at whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that LPHILIP T. DODGE, of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Matrices, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The matrices employed in the Mergenthaler linotype-machines are universally constructed of brass, the solid metal being worked into the required form by a large number of mechanical operations involving much time and expense and the loss of many matrices, which must be rejected for various imperfections.-

The aim of my invention is to provide for the cheaper construction of matrices, which must be of extreme precision in several measurements, of sufficient hardness to resist wear, and suflicient tensile-strength to resist the strains encountered in the machine.

In practice it has been found possible by the employment of suitable alloys to cast matrices which will answer nearly all the requirements. It is found, however, that when these matrices are best adapted to meetthe other requirements they are defective as to the quality or character of the distributing-teeth, which are either so soft as to lose their form or so hard as to be readily broken. To overcome this di'fiiculty, I propose to employ in connection with a cast-metal body a plate of brass, steel, or other material containing the' distributing-teeth, such plate being firmly attached to or incorporated-in the matrix, preferably by introducing it into the mold and casting the body of the matrix thereon. I also propose'to reinforce or strengthen the ears of the matrixin like manner by the employment of hard metal. 1

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents a side view of a matrix having my improvement incorporated therein; Fig. 2, a vertical section of the same on the correspondingly-numbered line; Fig. 3, a top plan View of the same; Figs. 4, 5, and 6, views of the reinforcing-plates in different forms.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the body of the matrix, of the form commonly used in the Mergenthaler linotype. It consists of a flat metal body having parallel sides with the letter or matrix proper, a, in

one edge and the protruding shoulders a and a on the edges at the upper and lower ends. The upper end of the matrix is recessed centrally from one side and reduced in thickness, and the remaining web or portion is provided in the top with a central V-groove, having the usual distributing-teeth b in the edges. In my improved matrix these teeth are formed in a plate B distinct from the body of the matrix. It is preferably a fiat plate of brass provided with a series of holes or openings and is permanently attached to the body portion of the matrix. This body portion is composed of any suitable alloy or metals adapted to be castin a mold. The plate Bis preferably inserted'in the mold and the body of the matrix cast thereon, so that the molten metal flows through the holes in the plate B and over and around its edges,engaging firmly therewith and holding the plate immovable in relation to the body. The plate may be made in the formshown in Figs. 1 and 4, of a width less than the body of the matrix, or it may be widened at the upper end, as in Fig. 5, its two edges being extended to form the upper ears of the body or to reinforce such ears. The lower end of the matrix may be reinforced and strengthened in like mannor by aplate, such asshown in Fig. 6, perforated or otherwise formed to interlock securely with the cast-metal body and having its edges extended to constitute the lower ears of the matrix'or portions thereof. The idea of reinforcing. the cars is to give them additional strength and prevent them from being fractured or changed in form or in position by the strain and wear to which the matrix is subjected in the machine.

In some cases a plate containing the distributing-teeth, which vary as usual in number and arrangement on matrices carrying differentcharacters, may be applied and secured to the body of the matrix after it is otherwise completed. This will permit a matrix bearing a given character to beprovided with one combination'of distributing-teeth or another, according to the position inwhich it is required to carry the matrix in the magazine of the machine, or, in other words, according to the location of the key representing the character in the keyboard. It is well known that machines employed for printing different languages have the characters differently arranged in their keyboards. This renders it necessary to provide a matrix hearing a given character with one distributing combination or another.

My improvement avoids the necessity of manufacturing the entire matrix in two forms. In other words, the invention renders it possible to provide any matrix with onedistribnting combination or another, as may be demanded.

Having described my invention, what I claim is l. A linotype-matrix consisting of a body portion and a distinct portion secured to the body and provided with distributing-teeth.

2. A linotype-matrix consisting of a body portion and a relatively hard portion attached thcrctoand containing the distributing-teeth.

A linotype-matrix consisting of a relatively hard member B, provided with distributing-teeth, and a body portion cast upon and interlocked with the member B.

4. A linotype-matrix comprising a hard metal strengthening member, and a castmetal body portion cast upon and around the hard member and interlocked therewith to hold it in place, substantially as described and shown.

5. Fora linotype-machine, a cast-metal matrix, having portions of harder metal applied to reinforce and strengthen the ears thereof.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 4th day of March, 1902, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

I. T. DODGE.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. GEORGE, W. A. DRIFFILL. 

